North Branford topples Seymour to set up winner-take-all game

Andrew Frosceno

Updated 11:52 pm, Thursday, July 11, 2013

Seymour third baseman Rebecca Findley sends the ball to first for the out on North Branford, during District 1 little league softball championship action in Orange, Conn. on Thursday July 11, 2013.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Seymour's Kayla Curtis makes contaact with the ball, during District 1 little league softball championship action against North Branford in Orange, Conn. on Thursday July 11, 2013.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Seymour's Rebecca Johnson misses the throw to second as North Branford's Madison Blakeslee reaches the base safely, during District 1 little league softball championship action in Orange, Conn. on Thursday July 11, 2013.
Photo: Christian Abraham

ORANGE -- The Seymour Little League softball team will get a second chance to win the Section 1 championship Friday night versus North Branford after falling 10-1 to the same team on Thursday.

"We're just going to have to come back fired up," Seymour coach Bob Findley said. "We were a little flat tonight, we didn't put the bat on the ball until late and we didn't manage it too well when we let them get ahead early."

North Branford jumped ahead 2-0 in the first half-inning when Alexa Gallo ripped a single for two RBIs. North Branford pitcher Madison Blakeslee kept the score 2-0 until the top of the fourth.

In the fourth, North Branford blew the game open, scoring five runs on four hits. Blakeslee drove in a run with a triple to the fence, and Danielle Ramada drove in two runs with a double to contribute to the five-run frame.

Findley talked about the adjustments North Branford made after the two teams last met, when Seymour won a shutout.

"They knew they had to put the bat on the ball after Jenna (Jenna Geffert) struck them out nine times," he said. "Everyone shortened up their swing and their better batters were getting solid contact on the ball. They found the spot and they made the right corrections."

Blakeslee led North Branford offensively, going 4-for-4, while Gallo had four RBIs.

Findley isn't concerned about his squad and the challenge of turning it back on in one days' time.

"You could see it, some of them are a little upset right now, but you could see it in their eyes that they've been through this already and are ready to play another game," he said. "I've been with this team for a while now so I can see they are ready to come back."

"The good news is they have to beat us twice," Findley said. "They have to come back and beat us again tomorrow."